Gaze Quote by Barbara Cohen
![“I'm a superior foot massager,' Mr. Jensen said [to Mother]. 'Later, I'll show you my license.' He laughed, and his eyes glinted. I looked from them up into the eyes of the portrait, into Sir Baldwin's eyes. Baldy wasn't smiling, but it seemed to me that the glint in his eyes was the same as the…” quote by Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/34b/barbara-cohen-28364_parenting_i-m-a-superior-foot-massager-mr-jensen-s_51838.jpg)
““I'm a superior foot massager,' Mr. Jensen said [to Mother]. 'Later, I'll show you my license.' He laughed, and his eyes glinted. I looked from them up into the eyes of the portrait, into Sir Baldwin's eyes. Baldy wasn't smiling, but it seemed to me that the glint in his eyes was the same as the glint in Mr. Jensen's. Mr. Jensen was generous and good-natured. Sir Baldwin was cruel and arrogant. But the glint in their eyes was the same. 'Be careful,' I said suddenly to Mr. Jensen. 'Be careful or Baldy will get you.' The glint faded and was replaced by a look of concern. 'Baldy?' Mr. Jensen asked. 'Sir Baldwin MacClough,' I said. 'The man in the painting.' 'But why would he want to get me?' Mr. Jensen asked, humoring me. 'Mother's in love with him,' I said. 'He looks to me to be a jealous type.””
About This Quote
A narrator warns a boastful character that a jealous, powerful figure from a portrait may intervene, highlighting the hidden dangers of arrogance and entitlement.
In simple terms: Beware hidden jealousies behind confident façades.
Key Takeaway
Pride can attract unseen threats.
Themes
jealousy
power dynamics
pride
warning
perception
Mood
tense
foreboding
Type
narrative
dialogue
When to use this quote
- a boastful person confronting a superior
- a family member warning about a powerful relative
- a narrator interpreting a portrait
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
intergenerational conflict
Practical Applications
- cautionary storytelling
- character development
Questions to Reflect On
- What unseen forces might challenge overconfidence?
- How does perception of power affect behavior?
![“It was the face that disturbed me. The artist had lit it in such a way that it appeared very strong, actually, to my mind, brutal. The nose was long and thin, the full underlip protruberant [sic], and the blue eyes icy cold. There was a great deal of pride in his look - more than pride, arrogance…” quote by Barbara Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/883/barbara-cohen-28364_art_it-was-the-face-that-disturbed-me-the-ar_1149815.jpg)
